HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-12-011 - Update on Community Engagement Process - LEAF and Grants Park and TrailKITC~HENEI~
Staff Rep~ri~
CAOs dice
www.kitchenerca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 19, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Jeff Willmer, Acting CAO
PREPARED BY: Jeff Willmer, Acting CAO (519-741-2325), Pauline Houston,
Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services (519-741-2646)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: February 27, 2012
REPORT NO.: CAO-12-011
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
RE: LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FUND GRANT
PROGRAM, AND FUNDING FOR PARK AND TRAIL CAPITAL
PROJECTS
RECOMMENDATION:
That Compass Kitchener lead the community engagement process regarding options for
the potential reallocation of Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) funding, as
generally outlined in Report CAO-12-011, and report back to Standing Committee of
Council by September 10, 2012.
BACKGROUND:
During Council's deliberations in advance of the 2012 budget staff prepared a budget issue
paper (C11 -Park & Urban Forestry Strategic Plans) and were directed to report back with a full
report (INS-12-010 LEAF, Funds for Park & Trail Projects). The report outlined several high
priority projects related to parks, street trees and community trails, which are unfunded or
underfunded to the amount of $15.53M (2012-2021). The report recommended discontinuing
the LEAF grant program and that uncommitted LEAF funding ($3.46M) be utilized to fund
portions of specified park and trail projects from 2012 through 2015.
On January 16, 2012 Council passed the following resolution:
"That the Local Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) grant program be suspended
immediately, and,
That subject to final budget deliberations, uncommitted funding from the Local
Environmental Action Fund (LEAF) be utilized in 2012 to fund portions of the 2012-2015
park and trail capital projects as follows:
• $100, 000 for Walter Bean Trail Completion;
• $250, 000 for Community Trails; and further,
12-1
That staff be directed to report to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee by no
later than May 7, 2012, outlining LEAF funding options for 2013 - 2015 and funding
options for 2015 and beyond, for the 2013 budget process; the report to also include
results of consultation with the LEAF Steering Committee, Environmental Committee and
any otherinterested citizens groups."
REPORT:
If staff were to facilitate the community engagement they may be perceived to have a bias in
favour of one or more of the options. In order to provide for facilitation that should be perceived
as impartial, members of Compass Kitchener have agreed to facilitate the community
engagement, subject to confirmation at their March 7 meeting.
During the discussions of the previous report, there was feedback about two other options for
the use of the funds, i.e., purchasing land in Hidden Valley and continuing on with the current
purpose of the LEAF fund. As a result, the public consultation will present three options for the
public to consider and provide feedback on highest priorities for funding. In addition, the public
may have other priorities which they may identify during the consultation process.
The process for engaging the community is proposed as follows:
• Communications staff to prepare a background document to provide context for the
community engagement.
• Compass Kitchener to make all advisory committee members aware of the process at
the March 31 joint meeting of all advisory committees.
• Compass Kitchener to host an all-committees meeting in May-June for the purpose of
obtaining input on the issue.
• Compass Kitchener to facilitate one meeting in May-June for the general public.
• Web-based engagement, supported by the City's Communications staff, to be available
before and after the general public meeting.
• Results of the engagement will be used by Compass Kitchener to prepare a report
during July-August for Standing Committee consideration September 10.
Given the logistical demands of a thorough and effective community engagement process, we
recommend that the original timeline of May 7 be extended to September 10.
Given that the funding shortfall for parks, street trees and trails amounts to approximately $12M
more than the amount of funding from LEAF that will be discussed, the matter of funding options
for 2015 and beyond would need to be referred to the 2013 capital budget process.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This initiative aligns with the following strategic directions contained within the City of Kitchener
Strategic Plan:
Type of Community
Investment
Applicable Community Priority
Relevant Strategic Direction
Local Environmental Action Qualit of Life #1
Fund (LEAF) grant program Leadership & Community
Engagement #2, #3, #4
Environment #1
12-2
Additionally, this report aligns with the financial management goal of the Efficient and Effective
Government foundation within the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
As described above.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Acting CAO
12-3